Section 177: Acts to be done by judge himself or herself

1) The judge himself or herself shall do the following acts, out of the acts to be done by the court pursuant to this Act:

(a) Taking and recording a statement or deposition of the accused or of a witness,

(b) Taking an oath of a witness,

(c) Issuing an order for remanding in custody or on bail/bond or guarantee,

(d) Executing a memorandum of orders on matters to be decided in the case,

(e) Issuing an order for the examination of evidence,

(f) Issuing an interim or interlocutory order,

(g) Hearing of the case,

(h) Holding preliminary and pre-trial discussion in the case,

(i) Issuing any other kind of order as required,

(j) Passing a judgment or final order.

2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), the following matters may be carried out as follows:

(a) An employee in the court whose rank is at least non gazette first class may record the evidence or deposition of a witness, at the direction of the judge.

(b) In the absence of the judge, the senior-most employee out of the employees present in the court may make an order pursuant to Chapter 6 in respect of taking depositions of the accused or remanding him or her in custody or taking a bail/bond or guarantee from him or her.

Provided that the order made pursuant to this clause shall be submitted to the judge immediately when the judge attends the court, and the judge may, upon examining it, uphold, void or amend that order.

3) The acts other than those contained in sub-section (1) or (2) may be done by any employee subordinate to the judge, at the direction or on the order of the latter.